EA Sports UFC predicts UFC 181

Whether you play their games or not, EA Sports takes great pride in the authenticity of their sports titles, so it’s always a fun event when they decide to use one of their games to predict a real-life matchup.

This week, they whipped out EA Sports UFC to try to simulate the Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler and Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez bouts which take place during UFC 181 on December 6th. The results aren’t particularly surprising, though it’s interesting to watch the virtual versions of the MMA fighters get it on.

Check out the highlights below along with a description of the matchups.

UFC 181 takes place on December 6th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Two belts will be on the line Saturday night and the EA SPORTS UFC sim engine is tackling both fights to see who walks away with the Welterweight and Lightweight titles.

Two fights and 10 rounds later, and it looks like the belts are staying put, as both champions earn hard-fought decisions.

Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
With five grueling rounds already in the books, the rematch of March’s barnburner between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler didn’t disappoint. The results managed to be even closer the second time around with Johny Hendricks edging Lawler again – this time by splitdecision – to log his first defense of the Welterweight strap.

Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
The Lightweight title bout proved no less exciting, with champion Anthony Pettis showing little signs of ring rust and challenger Gilbert Melendez giving him all he could handle over the course of five rounds. Pettis’ creative and unpredictable striking proved to be the difference-maker in the end, connecting often enough throughout the 25 minutes fight to earn him the unanimous decision over Melendez.